After the EFTA court ruled professorships earmarked women only illegal in January this year, the University has awarded women a mere five per cent of non–advertised professor I positions. Despite the University\'s long–term plan for gender equality 2002–2004, which aims to give 30 per cent of professor I positions to women, 19 of 20 professorships this year have been awarded men. Professor at the Centre for research on women and gender, Harriet Bjerrum Nielsen, suspects that the professional community tends to favour typically «masculine» qualities, putting female applicants at a disadvantage.

Students Critical to Reform

A mere eleven per cent of students consider the introduction of the quality reform a success. Trond Enger, the leader of the Norwegian Students\' Union (NSU), says that many students think the reform\'s objectives positive, but are negative to the fact that attendance has become compulsory, and students are selected by drawing lots. He adds that much of the criticism may be due to the speed with which the reform was implemented, and faulty information. Ingrid Stranger–Thorsen, the president of the Student Parliament, blames the student Internet gateway for failing to live up to expectations.